Music industry legend Quincy Jones apologized Thursday for two explosive interviews he gave earlier this month, saying his six daughters held a “family intervention” and made him see the error of his ways.
“I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON!,” the 84-year-old Mr. Jones wrote in a tweeted statement. “Let me tell you, I am so grateful for my daughters because they are not afraid to stand up to their daddy. I am an imperfect human & I’m not afraid to say it. I’m sorry & I’m not afraid to say it.”
Mr. Jones, who turns 85 next month, blamed his age, his newfound sobriety and memory problems for his controversial interviews with Vulture and GQ this month, which included claims that he once dated Ivanka Trump, that Michael Jackson “stole a lot of songs” and that comedian Richard Pryor and actor Marlon Brando slept together.
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) February 22, 2018
“Even at 85, it’s apparent that ’wordvomit’ and bad-mouthing is inexcusable,” Mr. Jones wrote Thursday. He said his “bad-mouthing” contradicted messages he wanted to convey, about racism, inequality, homophobia and poverty. He said he had already reached out to his friends to apologize privately.
“But when you live a public life you have a responsibility to be an example & since I do live a public life I wanted to make a public apology,” he wrote.
Mr. Jones went on to say that he reached out privately to some of the people he named in the interviews.
“I’m sorry to anyone whom my words offended & I’m especially sorry to my friends who are still here with me & to those who aren’t,” he said.
Mr. Jones signed the statement with, “Love, an 85 year old bow-legged man who is still learning and growing from his mistakes.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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